Napkin-holder.



No. 659,258. Patented Oct. 9, I900. C. H. PRATT.

NAPKIN HOLDER.

(Appliba-tion filed June 12, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. PRATT, OF HELENA, MONTANA.

NAPKlN-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,258, dated October 1900- Application filed June 12, 1399. Serial No. 720,202. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. PRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at'the city of Helena, in the county of Lewis and Clarke and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Napkin-Holders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Many different devices for holding a napkin have been brought forward; but in gen- 7 eral they have shared the defects of having gripping edges that tear the napkin or clothing or that may scratch or their support is inefficient. My invention avoids these defec'ts, having only rounded edges and folds and a simple but effective lock, and is particularly suitable for infants and older children.

It consists of a single piece of round wire bent into a circle, the ends free, and having upon each side a spring-retainer formed by coils of the wire itself.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a plan view of the holder open. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the holder closed. Fig. 3shows the method of inserting the napkin. Fig. 4 shows the holder with napkin in position. Fig. 5 shows a variation of the coil-spring.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in all the drawings.

The round wire A has the ends tipped with small round knobs a a. It is bent into circular form, and on each side of this circle one and a half small convolutions or coils B B are made, pressed closely together and lying practically in the same plane as the circle, but mostly Without its circumference. The tips of the wire are bent at short right angles 5 b, one in the same plane as the circle 0 and one at right angles to that plane D.

Having thus described the parts,the method of using is obvious. The tips may be called the back and the part opposite them the front. The ring is held with the knobs down. The edge of the napkin is then drawn from the backbetween the turns of the coils on each side, which act as springs and hold it securely, as seen in Fig. 3. The holder is then revolved once, and the napkin folds over its front, concealing it, as seen in Fig. 4.. The same position is obtained after drawing the edge of the napkin between the turns ofthe coils by throwing the napkin over the front. In this position the grip of the coils is tightened by any pulling on the napkin, and a fold of the napkin will come between the ring and the neck, making it both neat and comfortable. The holder is nowsprung open and placed around the neck. The ends are then pressed by one another and lock, as shown in Fig. 2, which keeps the holder securely in place.

It may be stated that more coils could be used in the springs; but they are not necessary. Other methods might be used for looking the ends, but that shown is very simple, easily locked and unlocked, and least likely to tangle in the hairor clothing.

It may be stated that by twisting the coilsprings, so that the planes of the two partial rings formed cross one another at a slight angle, as shown in Fig. 5, a tighter grip on the napkin would be secured; but for ordinary use this is not needed.

The whole holder being in one piece, without joints, soldering, or any small parts to be lost, insure its durability and make it easy to construct. It is noticeable for its ease of manipulation and neat effectiveness.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. A napkin-holder, consisting of an open wire ring, having short coil-springs on each side, on the same surface or face of the ring, coiled in opposite directions, and a single wire front, substantially as shown and described.

2. A napkin-holder, consisting of an open wire ring, having short coil-springs on each side, on the same surface or face of the ring, coiled in opposite directions, a single wire front and means for locking the ends, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. PRATT.

Witnesses:

S. W. LANGHORNE, EDWARD O. RUssEL. 

